Patent GB-880644-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to prepayment locks for automatic left-luggage lockers
IPC: G07F17/12
Filed: 1959-12-17
Abstract: 880,644. Coin-freed caretaker cabinets. FRANCAISE DES APPAREILS AUTOMATTQUES S.A. Dec. 17, 1959 [Dec. 23, 1958], No. 42960/59. Class 27. A coin-freed mechanism for the lock of a caretaker cabinet requires the deposit of a coin or coins to allow initial locking of the cabinet and means periodically operated by external control impulses allow the cabinet to be unlocked during a first time period without further payment and during a subsequent time period on payment of an extra charge corresponding to the initial charge. Inserted coins come to rest in a channel 16 on a pin 17 which can be inserted in one of three holes 18a, 18b, 18c in a horizontallypivoted lever 18 so that one, two or three coins require to be inserted, the operative coin 22 having its edge exposed at 16b. The main lock 4 is connected by a slotted barrel to a lug 11 on a cam 12 having notches 12b, 12c which are engaged by a pin 23a on a lever 23 to lock the lock in the open or closed position of a bolt 44. Another lever 26 is ' pivoted on the lever 23 at 23b and has a pin 26b which can engage the coin 22 so that, on rotation of the lock by the key, the cam 12 will move a pin 26a on the lever 26 and cause the lever to pivot about the coin. The consequent rotation of the lever 23 about its pivot 24 will withdraw the pin 23a from the notch 12b or 12c and allow full rotation of the lock, which moves the bolt by means of an arm 47. A ramp 12a on the cam tilts the lever 18 so that the coin or coins are released to a coin box. A spring-loaded disc 28 has driving teeth 28b, 28c, 28d and locking teeth 28e and is rotated by a pawl 38 on a bracket 35 movable by a control rod 42 which is actuated at intervals by an attendant or -by an electromagnet supplied with pulses from a master clock. If a user inserts the required coin or coins and turns the key normally locked in the barrel 4, the pin 23a is withdrawn from the notch 12c and the cabinet can be locked and the key withdrawn. A spring blade 43 on the bolt 44 engages the first locking tooth 28e and rotates the disc counter-clockwise by one tooth so that a first numeral "1" appears opposite a window 3. The first driving tooth 28b is moved into the path of the pawl 38 and a lug 28g on the disc 28 is moved under the pin 26b to take the place of a coin and allow unlocking of the cabinet without further payment, the pin 23a being withdrawn from the notch 12b. On the first timed actuation of the control rod 42, the pawl 38 moves the disc 28 one step and thus brings the second numeral "1" opposite the window and the tooth 28c into the path of the pawl. The lug 28g can, however, still be contacted by the pin 26b and further payment is not necessary for unlocking of the cabinet. On the second actuation of the control rod 42, the lug 28g is clear of the pin 26b and a coin or coins must be inserted to allow unlocking. If the user does not return until the control rod has operated a third time, the numeral "3" is opposite the window and a lug 28a has moved a shutter 32 into the coin path at 15 so that further coins cannot be inserted. The disc may have a plain portion beyond the driving teeth so that it is not moved further or may have additional teeth so that the extra time beyond the third period is indicated. As the cabinet cannot be unlocked by the user, an extra charge must be paid to an attendant who will use a service key to operate a second lock 5 which has an arm 7b engaging a pin 26c to remove the pin 23a from the notch 12b and allow operation of the main lock 4. If the user loses his key, two attendants, each with independently-held keys, must be present to operate locks 5 and 6 so that arms 7a and 7b are rotated to allow removal of the cylinder of lock 4. The arm 28f tilts the lever 18 on movement of the disc 28 so that a coin inadvertently or purposely introduced after locking the cabinet does not remain on the pin 17 and allow unlocking even when the numeral "3" is showing.